Stakhovsky to Eight and a Half: “Putin will split Europe like Hitler”

In connection from Kiev, engaged in the front line in the Ukrainian army to counter the advance of the Russians, Sergiy Stakhovsky was the guest of the show Eight and a Half conducted by Lilli Gruber. The former Ukrainian tennis player, who decided to retire at the beginning of the season, at the Australian Open, now takes up his rifle and talks about his experience in the resistance forces. “There is no right or wrong in my choice. If I hadn’t enlisted I would have felt guilty – my father and brother are here in Kiev – but I still feel guilty for leaving my wife and my three children. I don’t know how to shoot and I have no experience in combat. Most of us have not been trained but we have a common ideal. This is the last resort ”.

Between present and future

—

“There are no Russian forces in Kiev at the moment and the situation will remain that way for a while. The world is on Ukraine’s side and I think all the sanctions against Russia have helped, even if it will take time to arrive. At the moment, Ukraine needs the closure of the airspace and a no-fly zone ”. Stakhovsky’s vision on possible future scenarios for Europe, forced to live with the nuclear threat: “If Ukraine falls into the hands of the Russians, other nations will follow. Putin threatens with nuclear power and will continue to use this card. The only hope is that he will die or else he will do just like Hitler when he was dividing Europe. He will split the nations in two ”.

Nole’s support

—

In recent days, there have been messages of support for the former n.31 in the world ranking, who has made his conversation with Novak Djokovic public on his Instagram profile. “Stako, how are you my friend? I think about you. I hope that the situation will calm down as soon as possible ”, the Serbian’s concern for his colleague who has returned home to fight alongside his compatriots. “Let me know which is the best address where I can send financial or any other kind of aid.” Among the last lines of the screenshot you can see part of Stakhovsky’s answer, accompanied by a heart: “Nole, thank you so much. I’m on the ground. Silence reigns in Kiev ”.